Deadline day is just around the corner and it is safe to say that Barcelona have not enjoyed the sort of transfer window they hoped for.
With new management at the helm, the board planned for wholesale changes with big-name departures and multiple high-quality signings. Unfortunately, none of their objectives were quite met.
Barcelona entered the summer market with one primary target – Nico Williams, who eventually did not even bat an eye towards the club’s advances.
The club’s only new signings, thus, were Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. Considering that they lost the services of Ilkay Gundogan, Alex Valle, Mikayil Faye and Vitor Roque in the process, one can even make a case that the team is weaker than it was a month ago.
With less than 48 hours remaining on the market, the Blaugrana will hope they can make a late push to incorporate at least one new name especially given the injury situations in certain positions.
Barca Universal brings you three players the club can realistically target in the coming hours and land before deadline day.
Jonathan Tah
It is ironic that Barcelona’s biggest struggles this season are arising from a department that was the best stacked in terms of resources.
The Catalans enjoyed a surplus of centre-backs last season with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi all fighting for two starting spots. Eric Garcia’s return only potentiated the department.
With Araujo and Christensen out through long-term injuries, Garcia, who is also injured, staring an uncertain period out and Kounde fixed as the team’s right-back, Hansi Flick has just two names to count on in the department.
Jonathan Tah, thus, has emerged as a serious option given his contractual situation and strong desire for a change in scenery.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender is hellbent on leaving the club this summer and has refused to sign a new contract. The Germans are thus under pressure to sell him and Barcelona hope to exploit their helplessness.
As revealed earlier today, Flick has personally requested for the German defender to be signed this summer at any cost. The two hurdles for Barcelona, however, are the registration struggles and the strong competition from Bayern Munich.
Joan Laporta and Co. are willing to offer €20 million and it remains to be seen if a deal can be agreed over the next 48 hours.
Danilo Pereira
Marc Bernal’s injury doused the celebrations in Catalonia earlier this week despite the team’s strong showing and win at the Vallecas. After all, the 17-year-old had quickly become Flick’s trusted option to play as the pivot.
As confirmed by the club, the academy graduate has suffered an ACL tear and will be out for close to a year. A new midfield signing, thus, becomes a priority for the management who are already without Gavi and Frenkie de Jong.
PSG midfielder Danilo Pereira has now emerged as an option for the Blaugrana to reinforce the defensive midfield after their unfortunate setback. The deal, however, will be far from simple to pull off with limited time.
The 32-year-old may no longer be at his best, but his experience and ability to play both in defence and midfield would help the administration kill two birds with one stone.
Pereira’s contract in Paris ends next year and he would thus not bear heavy in terms of a transfer fee. Competition from Atletico Madrid and Porto, however, does not help Barcelona’s cause as the Azulgranas cannot currently afford a bidding war.
Stefan Bajcetic
The third, and arguably the most promising name linked with a move to Barcelona in these closing days is Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic.
At just 19 years of age, the Spanish phenom would be a great fit into Barcelona’s dynamics stylistically and is thus a great option to pursue.
Laporta and Co. are looking for a plain loan deal with no purchase clause for one season and are even willing to shell out a fee of €4 million.
The hurdle, however, appears to once again be the registration aspect as Barcelona have barely any space on their wage roster. Every second that Barcelona delay negotiations, the player moves closer to joining RB Salzburg.
The club must move fast if they are to secure the youngster’s signing and have already got into direct contact with the player. Given that just under 48 hours remain on the window, however, time is running out.
